Cheesecloth

A cotton gauze material woven into a fine mesh that is used to strain liquids or sauces, to hold herbs such as bouquet garni, to keep fish contained while poaching, and for draining the liquid from solid and semi-solid ingredients, such as cheese curds and yogurt. It is durable and very resistant to falling apart from the heat of hot liquids. This material was orignally made as a wrapping for pressed cheeses, but has become a household item that is useful in the kitchen.